French haul of tuna rubs salt in wounds of UK fishermen

French fishermen caught more bluefin in a day than the market sells in a year

The scallop wars between British and French fishermen opened up a potential new battleground yesterday after boats from France caught 44 bluefin tuna off the Channel Islands.

The catch was later sold in France for more than €20,000. French fishermen are allowed to catch tuna in British waters, while British fishermen are banned.

The anomaly reflects the differing rules over dredging for scallops which led to British boats being attacked off Normandy. “It’s an unfair situation all around,” said Derek Meredith from Brixham, south Devon, whose boats were caught up in last week’s skirmish. “We are policed by our authorities and [the French] seem to be able to just do what they want.”

However, it was the French taxman who benefited most from the tuna…

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